Quickies, lost in the shuffle of the past week...
- A week ago Friday (the 24th), A. and I went down to Manassas to the Empty Bowls charity event. It's a fundraising activity wherein a potter donates bowls, restaurants donate food, and they invite contributors. In other words, the charity is on the part of the ceramics people and the restaurant. We just went down, got some really neat bowls, and ( Read more... )
When I wrote Metro to complain about this most recent incursion, I received:
"Thank you for writing to Metro regarding our new Security Inspection Program. The program which will be random, unannounced and focused on explosive detection is aimed to deter terrorist attacks and increase the overall safety of the Metro system. Passengers can expect bag inspections at any Metro facility when circumstances warrant heightened vigilance. However, it should not be assumed that there is a specific threat to the Metro system when we are conducting random bag inspections.
Prior to launching the Security Inspection Program, Metro Transit Police met with officials at the Transportation Security Administration and transit agencies in New York, Boston and New Jersey where police regularly conduct inspections of passengers¿ belongings. Legal Authority to inspect packages brought into the Metro system has been established by the court system on similar types of inspections in mass transit properties, airports, military facilities and courthouses.
On Monday, October 27, Metro began posting large red and white signs at Metroail [sic] station entrances informing passengers about the inspections. Inspection points will be set up at Metro facilities and passengers will go through inspections before entering a rail station or boarding a bus and before paying a fare. The inspections are estimated to take only a few seconds and will be conducted by specially trained Metro Transit Police Officers and explosive-detection dogs.
Transit Police will randomly select a number, such as five. Then every fifth person will be asked to step aside and allow their carry on items to be inspected. Additionally, passengers displaying suspicious behavior may also be subject to having their bags searched. Individuals who refuse to have their bag or bags inspected will not be allowed to enter the Metro system with those carry-on items. They will be free to leave the system with their items.
The bag inspection program is an ongoing effort to protect Metro riders, employees and facilities. Passenger cooperation will help to ensure the program is fast, smooth and successful. For additional information about our new security initiative program, please go to our website, www.metroopensdoors.com. Also, our page offers a list of Frequently Asked Questions about our Security Inspection Program. Thank you again for taking the time to share your comments with us. I hope this information helps to address your concerns.
To speak to a Blue-Orange Line Customer Service Representative for Comments, Complaints or Suggestions, please call 301-562-4606 weekdays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. You can leave a message at all other times or e-mail us at www.wmata.com.
If you ever need to speak with a Customer Information Agent for assistance with general questions, please call 202-637-7000; 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Web site is also a valuable resource for customers to find out more details about trip planning, bus and rail fares, service disruptions and other information."
In other words, we don't care about you. We talked to the folks we want to, and we don't need you.
On top of that, they are no longer providing free paper transfers; the Washington Compost refers to a "windfall" for Metro.
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